Through-the-Sensor Sonar Performance Prediction and Optimization Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-150 Topic Title: Through-the-Sensor Sonar Performance Prediction and Optimization Proposal No.: N112-150-0786 Firm: Applied Physical Sciences Corp. 475 Bridge Street Suite 100 Groton, Connecticut 06340 Contact: Kevin Cockrell Phone: (619) 795-6510 Web Site: www.aphysci.com Abstract: Sonar performance predictions are often unreliable due to the lack of accurate information about the acoustic properties of the ocean around the globe. We propose to demonstrate an environmental estimation technique that uses reverberation from active sonar transmissions to infer environmental properties including the sound speed profile, the seafloor geoacoustic properties, and the geographically varying seafloor scattering strengths. By exploiting the linear dependence of the reverberation level on the seafloor scattering strength, an analytic method for estimating the scattering strengths can be used to greatly reduce the computational burden and increase the accuracy of the estimated environmental parameters. The result of this environmental estimation will be a fully three dimensional (3D) estimate of the environment, which can then be used to estimate the probability of detection and probability of false alarm versus range, depth, and azimuth relative to the sonar. The estimated environment will then be used to determine a set of sonar transmission parameters which optimize performance. Benefits: The proposed effort is focused on improving the performance of the SQR-53C portion of the AN/SQQ-89 surface ship combat system. Upon successful Phase I demonstration we will collaborate with the SQQ-89 and Tactical Decision Aid (TDA) developers to incorporate the algorithm into the ACB process. Because of its generic approach, the proposed algorithm may also be applicable to other active sonar. One likely prospect is the other sonar systems within the SQQ-89 combat system. For example, the active sonobuoy system could use the information provided by SQR-53C transmissions to estimate environmental parameters over a wide area, thus enhancing the performance of the overall SQQ-89 system. The algorithm could also be included in Submarine and SURTAS active sonar via and APB process. Return